Côte d’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is a West African country characterised by cultural diversity, busy & vibrant cities and a lovely white sand coastline. I visited recently and found that the offerings were varied, with the local people eager to showcase the country’s natural beauty and proud traditions.
The attractions in Côte d’Ivoire offer a compelling combination of impressive architecture, wildlife encounters and traditional culture – and even if you’re only on a short stopover then you’re likely to be able to experience quite a few sides to the country.
In this guide we will take you through some of top things to do in this West African gem and highlight the main attractions in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace — The world’s largest church?
Where do you think the largest church in the world is? Europe?…Think again! Or at least according to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest church in the world is in Côte d’Ivoire. We admittedly did struggle a little to verify this, but nevertheless, certainly one of the most prominent attractions in Côte d’Ivoire is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro. Designed to mirror the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it is among the world’s largest churches by floor area and possibly height.
The basilica’s scale and stylistic boldness make it a focal point for architectural interest. Visitors can explore its expansive interior with beautiful acoustics. If possible try to time your visit to be during a mass as the songs sound really lovely. Take some time to admire stained glass windows that combine religious iconography with artistic representations of Ivorian landscapes, and walk the surrounding gardens. Its prominence as a landmark reflects both the country’s religious heritage and its mid-20th-century political history, as it was commissioned by the first president.
Wildlife and National Parks –
Another rich component of the attractions in Côte d’Ivoire is of course the national parks and wildlife environments. Côte d’Ivoire is home to several protected areas where visitors can observe a variety of flora and fauna in natural settings.
Banco National Park, located within the urban periphery of Abidjan, is one of the only dense, primary tropical forests located in the heart of an urban area. It provides an opportunity to experience wildlife walks through dense forest paths, observe birdlife, and appreciate tropical vegetation without going too far from the city. You’re likely to see numerous primates and antelopes amongst other species.
Further afield, Assagny (Azagny) National Park offers a coastal wetland environment with mangroves, savanna and a rich array of bird species and other wildlife & is only 75km from Abidjan adjoining the Gulf of Guinea.
These parks are essential attractions in Côte d’Ivoire for ecotourism and wildlife observation. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Foret Sacrée de Gbepleu where the Campbell’s mona monkey are a protected species, that enjoy coming to observe visitors.
Coastal Landscapes – Beaches and waterspouts
The coast of Côte d’Ivoire is an essential element of its tourism profile. Extending along the Gulf of Guinea, the shoreline features stretches of sandy beaches and small seaside towns that attract both local and international visitors.
Coastal destinations such as Grand-Bassam and Jacqueville showcase a variety of beach environments. Grand-Bassam, in particular, combines a UNESCO World Heritage-listed colonial quarter with pleasing beaches and relaxed seaside ambience, making it one of the most frequented coastal spots on the Ivorian coast.
A highlight and within easy reach of Abidjan, making it ideal for a day trip is Assinie-Mafia. With its kilometres of white sandy beaches and calm waters it’s a lovely place to stay. It is very popular with wealthy locals visiting for the weekend or over holidays like New Year.
Traditional Dancing — Living cultural heritage
Music, dancing and costumes are key elements of the personality of Côte d’Ivoire. During my visit I had the opportunity to experience Wèhèdê Festival near the city of Man, which showcased the dances of the We people.
Even if you don’t get the chance to visit a festival, there are many villages that welcome visitors where you’ll be able to observe the masked dancers and learn about these traditional forms of expression and culture. The country’s ethnic diversity, including groups such as the Baoulé, Guro and Senufo, has given rise to a range of distinctive dance forms that are both spiritually significant and visually compelling.
Among the most recognised is the Zaouli dance, practised by the Guro communities. This masked dance is characterised by energetic movements and intricate physical skill and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2017.
The Vine Bridges — Ingenious traditional engineering
One of the more unique attractions in Côte d’Ivoire lies in the vine bridges around Man and the bordering Cavally River region, where traditional vine (liana) bridges still exist. These structures, made from living vines, are maintained by local villagers and are known for their construction technique and cultural significance.
Often repaired annually due to seasonal flooding, the bridges carry both practical value and symbolic resonance for the communities that build and utilise them. Although maintenance and preservation are ongoing challenges, they stand as striking examples of indigenous engineering and offer adventurous travellers a rare and memorable experience.
When I visited I the vine bridge of Duapleu we were able to cross and learn about how the methods of maintaining the bridge are hidden in secrecy – locals explained that they are fixed overnight by ‘the initiated’.
Markets in Abidjan – colourful and vibrant urban hubs
Abidjan, the country’s largest city and economic hub has many markets that are essential to its character and daily life, providing insight into contemporary Ivorian commerce, cuisine and social interaction.
Markets such as those in Cocody and Treichville offer fresh produce, local crafts, textiles and everyday goods. Previously, money wouldn’t have been accepted here and barter/exchange of goods was currency.
Treichville can be a little overwhelming if you’re new to urban markets – they have a lot of chickens and fish inside a building with a low roof, so the smell is rather strong.
Marché de cocody Saint Jean comparatively is clean and a little more open – although it is also geared up more for tourists, with souvenirs, musical instruments, traditional clothing and crafts.
Culinary Experiences – Local food and gastronomy
A visit to Côte d’Ivoire would be incomplete without sampling its cuisine. I really enjoyed the food, especially the chance to try local dishes such as attieké (a sort of cassava couscous).
Many simple eateries serve grilled chicken and fish, alongside fried plantain and a delicious spicy green pepper sauce. Of course as well as traditional dishes, there is also a strong French influence on the cuisine.
Waterfalls & natural wonders
One of the most visited sites near the city of Man, are Les Cascades de Man. It’s a series of tiered waterfalls reached by a short walk through a dense forest area.
It is best visited between May and October as this is when the water is at peak flow. During this time, then walkways are often semi covered and there are numerous pools for swimming and wading.
Even during dry season it is still a pretty area to visit, with numerous seating areas and places to eat – and butterflies darting around.
Planning your visit to Côte d’Ivoire
On the surface, Côte d’Ivoire might not appear to have some of the grand draws of East Africa, but actually the country has a varied range of destinations, experiences and strong local heritage and customs.
Even on a short visit, you’re likely to be able to learn about some of the attractions of Côte d’Ivoire including great food, an abundance of wildlife and some proud cultural traditions.
